Sampling pad and process of and apparatus for making the same



E. J. ABBOTT 1,704,418

SAIPLING PAD AND PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS KING m SAIB March 5, 1929.

Filed Feb. 19. 1926 2 Shoots-Shoot 1 J 71 (Xe/2. 0-w- Edwa/rd JOY-5Z .5 4 M fla -4a m March 5, 1929. E, J BBdT SAMPLING IAD AND rnoczss OF AND APPARATUS F03 IAKING THE SAIIE Filed Feb. 19, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet I? ZJU 72 (07* V Zliwazwi Patented Mar. 5, 1929.

UNITED STATES EDWARD J. ABBOTT, OF WILTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

PATENT OFFICE.

SAMPLING PAID AND PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING THE SAME.

Application filed February 19, 1926.

This invention pertains to the manufacture of textilesand more particularly to an improved sampling pad for comparing the relative characteristics of batches of fibrous materials, as for example the effects of a given dye upon successive lots of a fibrous material of selected character or composition, and to a process of and apparatus for preparing such pads. When a batch of textile fiber is being dyed it is necessary for the dyer to take samples from time to time to determine the progress of the 0 eration and the various factors involved in t e process are varied according to the judgment of the dyer as guided by these samples. Under some conditions quite abrupt changes in color occur during the process and it is thus desirable to provide a method of taking samples rapidly and at the same time accurately.

F or purposes of comparison it has heretofore been common to take small portions from the batch of material to be tested and to work these portions up by hand into disclike or lenticular pads of substantially the same general size, the material forming the pads being all from one batch when the effeats of a straight color are to be observed or. consisting of small quantities from each of several differently colored batches when predetermined mixtures are to be compared or their effects observed.

In accordance with the hand process the first step in making the pads consists in weighing out a suitable quantity of the fiber, whether of one color or a mixture, moistening this fiber with soap or soapy water, and working the material by rubbing it between the hands until the fibers are felted to make a pad of the requisite size.

In order to produce pads even approximating uniform size and thickness great skill is required and real uniformity is never obtainable by the hand process so that the sample pads are not to be relied upon for comparative purposes especially when as is,

often the case the pads are not uniformly dried. Furthermore this mode of making the pads is at best laborious and so slow that it is inapplicable when samples must be taken in rapid succession.

In accordance with my present invent-ion I first weigh out a suitable quantity of the fiber. usually about one gram in weight,

which is sufficient to make a pad of the-usual size, and if the sample is to show the effects Serial No. 89,388.

of a mixture I select portions from the variously colored batches of materials in proper pro ortions to form the desired mixture, pre' erably carding these portions together by means of a hand card until the several colors are uniformly comingled. I then roll the short sliver of fiber thus prepared into a more or less cylindrical mass and place it in a hollow cylindrical form, preferably having perforated walls. The-fibrous mass is now compacted to a slight degree by tamping it while in the form so that the fibers inter-mat to some extent, causing the mass to retain its generally cylindrical shape when withdrawn from the form.

The cylindrical fibrous mass is now dpreferably moistened with a suitable liqui for exam 1e liquid soap, and placed in an open ends cylindrical container of an internal diameterequal to that of the desired pad. The mass is placed under axial compression, conveniently by placing a weight upon its upper surface, and the lower surface of the mass is now subjected to the felting action of a rubbing element constituting a closure for the lower end of the container. This rubbing element is preferably given a motion comprising rotary and reciprocating com-, ponents, the rubbing element preferably consisting of a flat disc or plate surfaced with resilient material, for example rubber, which bears with sufficient pressure against the lower edge of the container to prevent the escape of the fiber between it and such edge.

This felting or rubbing action is continued for a suitable period, a few minutes usually sufllcing for the purpose, and then the pressure is relieved, the pad is removed from the container and washed and dried. The drying operation is preferably accomplished by placing the pad against a foraminous or perforated support and blowing a current of heated or otherwise moisture-absorbent air against it, the perforated backing facilitating penetration of the air through the entire thickness of the pad with consequent uniformity of drying. By reason of the mechanical accuracy with which the pad is thus produced it is to a high degree dependable for use in comparison with similarly pre-'v pared pads.

While I have hereinabove referred to certain specific devices. as useful in performing the improved process, I wish it to be understood that equivalent means might well be employed and that certain of the devices referred to and herein illus trated may be modified in accordance with the shape and size of the pad to be made and that the order of steps herein described as constituting the complete process may in some instances be varied; that in its broader aspects certain steps may be omitted, combined with others, or replaced by equivalent steps and that pads as thus formed may be found usefulfor other-purposes than -as dye samplers.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated certain steps of the present proc ess by reference to a preferred form of mechanism and apparatus useful in practicing the process, and in the drawings:

Fig. 1 represents a ribbon-like sliver of the carded fibrous material, for example wool, from which the pad is to be made;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing this sliver of material coiled to form a roll;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation, partly broken away, showing a form for use in initially compressing the fibrous material to produce a cylindrical mass, showing the material within the form and the tamping means in operative position;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the tamping device removed from the form;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the cylindrically formed and slightly compressed mass of fiber resulting from the use of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3; I

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in vertical section showing a preferred apparatus for carrying out the felting operation and illustrating the fibrous mass of Fig. 5 disposed in position for subjection to the felting operation;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section showing preferred apparatus for performing the felting process;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the same apparatus;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of a weighting device useful as an adjunct to the apparatus of Fig. 7 for compressing the material during the felting operation;

Fig. 10 is an edge elevation and 1 Fig. 11 is a plan view of the complete padafter the felting operation; and

Fig. 12 is a more or less diagrammatic view, partly in section, showing preferred means for drying the pads.

Refering to the drawings the numeral 1 designates a more or less ribbon-like sliver of wool or other fiber suitable for use in making the improved pad. This sliver of fiber may be produced by mixing small quantities from lots having different characteristics, for example, different colors, and in the desired proportions by means of a hand card, the total amount of fiber necessary fora pad ofthe desired size being usually about one gram of weight.

lVhile the fiber may be mixed by means of 2, or in any other manner to form a more or less cylindrical circular mass.

I now prefer to place this mass of fiber in a cylindrical container 3, preferably open at its bottom and preferably provided with a plurality of perforations 4 in its wall to permit escape of' entrapped air. If this container is open at its bottom it is placed upon the flat upper surface of a suitable table or support 5. The fibrous mass being placed in this container is now tamped by means of a cylindrical plug-like tamper 6 adapted to fit into the container and having a handle 7 by means of which it may be manipulated. After the fibrous mass has been tamped to compact its fibers more or less, it is removed from the form 3 and will be found to exhibit more or less the appearance of the mass 8 of Fig. 5, the degree of compression of the fibers of course depending upon the amount of tamping to which the mass is subjected.

The mass 8 is now felted to form a pad of the desired dimensions, preferably by means of apparatus such as shown for example in Figs. 6, 7 and 8.

This apparatus comprises a base 9 supporting a casing 10 preferably of cylindrical shape and having a spider or web 11 in its lower portion supoprting a vertical sleeve 12. This sleeve is preferably provided with a bushing 13 forming a bearing for a vertical rotary shaft 14.

The shaft 14 is provided with a pulley 15 at its lower end which receives a driving belt l5 extending over idler pulleys 17 and 18 and about a drive pulley 19 carried by a driving shaft 20. Preferably a conduit 21 for lubricating material extends from the outside of the casing 10 to the bearing of the shaft 14.

The upper end of the shaft 14 is provided with a crank disc 22 preferably resting upon a washer 23 of suitable anti-friction material. Obviously a ball or roller bearing might be substituted for this washer.

The crank disc 22 carries an eccentric crank pin 24 which supports a disc plate 25 having a depending hub 26 provided with a vertical bore for the reception of the crank pin 24. Preferably a ball bearing 27 is interposed between the upper end of the pin 24 and the inner surface of the bore in the hub 26 to support the weight of the disc 25. The disc 25' is preferably provided with an upstanding rim 28 which centers a resilient pad 29 preferably of rubber and which gorms the upper and operative face of the A spider 30 is supported by means of screws'31 or other suitable means in the up per part of the case 10. This spider comprises a central substantially cylindrical sleeve member 32 providing a cylindrical cavity 33 of substantially the diameter of the desired pad. The lower edge of the sleeve 32 rests upon the resilient member 29 forming the upper surface of the disc 25, the parts being in sufficiently close contact to prevent fiber from working out beneath the lower edge of the sleeve 32 and at the same time to provide a considerable degree of friction between the lower edge of the sleeve 32 and the member 29.

The fibrous mass 8 is placed in the cylindrical chaniber 33 as shown in Fig. 6 and is preferably held down against the member 29 by means of a weight 34 fitting within the sleeve 32. This weight may be provided with a handle 35 for convenience in manipulation. After the weight has beenplaced upon the fibrous mass 8, the shaft 14 is rotated at high speed and by reason of the eccentric position of the crank pin 24 and the friction between the member 29' and the sleeve 32, the disc 25 with the member 29 is caused to gyrate with a motion combining reciprocal and rotary components. This motion of the resilient member 29 in contact with the lower surface of the fibrous mass 8 rapidly felts the fibers composing this mass so that the mass gradually decreases in thickness as its fibers are drawn more closely together until it assumes substan tially the form indicated at P in Figs. 10 and 11. The pad thus formed is of substantially uniform thickness throughout its area except closely adjacent to its marginal edge where as indicated at 36 itis rounded in cross section producing what may be termed a selvage in which the fibers are closely interlaced and from which few if any of the fibers project, the pad thus being adapted to withstand considerable handling while preserving its shape.

While the felting operation may be performed with the fibrous material in a dry state, it is facilitated by first moistening the mass 8 with a soap solution or other material suitable for the purpose. After the pad P has been removed from the felting apparatus, it is washed to remove the soapy material and is then preferably dried by means of apparatus indicated in Fig. 12. This apparatus comprises a fan 37 of any suitable type having a supporting base 38 and a delivery nozzle 39. Preferably the nozzle is furnished with a heating coil H to heat the air prior to delivery. Other means for in creasing the moisture absorbing capacity of the air may obviously be employed.

The pad P is placed against a perforated or foraminous support 40 in the direct path of the air delivered from the nozzle 39 and the pressure of the air against the pad is sufficient to hold it in position during the drying operation. Since the backing 40 is porous, the air current passes quite freely through the pad from front to back, thus rapidly drying the pad in a uniform manner.

In accordance with the process and by the use of the apparatus above described, it is possible to make single sample pads from any given batch of material and since only a very small amount of material is used in making each pad, there is little waste involved in the sampling operation. Applicants process and apparatus permits samples to be taken even from very small batches of material and to produce sample pads which are far superior to those produced by the usual hand method, since the pads produced in accordance with the present process are substantially uniform in texture throughout and of substantially uniform thickness not only as respects each individual pad, but as respects successive pads made in accordance with the process and by the apparatus disclosed herein. It-is thus possible to make pads of so uniform char acter that they may be relied upon as a basis for the comparison of the effects of various dye stuffs upon the same material or of the same dye stuff upon different materials or mixtures of materials.

While a preferred order of steps in performing the process has been herein described, and while a preferred apparatus for use in performing said steps has been illustrated it is to be understood that in its broader aspects the process may be modified by the omission, rearrangement or replacement of some of the steps enumerated and that equivalent apparatus other than that herein described may be substituted without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. That process of preparing felted fibrous pads which comprises as steps peripherally confining a quantity of fibrous ma terial, subjecting said material to pressure between substantially flat parallel surfaces, and positively producing a relative movement of said surfaces, said movement comprising rotary and reciprocating components.

2. That process of preparing felted fibrous pads which comprises as steps coiling a sliver of fibrous material into a roll, confining the roll peripherall applying axial pressure to the roll, and su jecting one radial face of the roll to the rubbing action of a surface to which a combined rotary and reciprocating motion is imparted.

3. That process of preparing felted fibrous pads which comprises as steps placing a mass of .fiber in a hollow cylindrical form, tamping said mass to produce a loosely compressed circular mass of substantially the diameter of the desired pad, placing said compressed mass in a container, and subjecting its end surface to a rubbing action to felt the fibers.

4. That process of preparing felted fibrous pads which comprises as steps Winding a roll of fibrous material, placing said roll in a hollow cylindrical form, tamping the roll to produce a lightly compressed cylindrical mass, and subjecting at least one end face of said mass to a rubbing action while peripherally confined to felt the fibers.

5. That process of preparingfelted fibrous pads which comprises as steps carding fibers sufficient to make the desired pad, coiling the carded material into a roll, placing the roll in a cylindrical form having a perforated Wall, 'tamping the roll within the form to make a loosely compressed cylindrical mass, moistening the mass, subjecting one 'end face of the mass to a rubbing action while confining the mass peripherally, removing the mass from the confining means, .and drying it.

6. That process of preparing felted fibrous'pads which comprises as steps carding a suitable quantity of material to form a sliver, coilin the sliver to form a fiat roll, confining the roll peripherally, and applying axial pressure to the roll while subjecting at least one end face of the roll to a combined rotary and reciprocating rubbing action.

7. That process of preparing felted fibrous pads which comprises as steps carding a suitable quantity of fibrous material including wool as a constituent, rolling the carded material, confining the roll peripherally, moistening the material with a soap solution, and subjecting at least one end face .of the roll to a combined rotary and reciprocating rubbing action while confining the roll between substantially fiat, parallel rfaces.

8. That process of preparing felted fibrous pads which comprlses as steps making a predetermined quantity of fiber into the form of a roll, confining such roll peripherally, moistening the roll, applying a substantially flat plate to one end .of the roll,

. said plate having a resilient surface posltively imparting movement to said plate to felt the fibers, and appl inga constant predetermined pressure to t e other end of the roll to insure good contact between the fibres and said plate.

9. That process of preparing felted pads which comprises carding together a quantityof fiber, making the carded fiber into a roll, peripherally confining the roll, applying a constant predetermined axial pressure to the roll while subjecting at least one end face of the roll to a rotary and reciprocating rubbing action to felt the fibers, removing the formed pad from the confining means, and drying the pad.

10. That process of preparing felted pads which comprises carding together a quantity of fiber, making the carded fiber into a roll, peripherally confining the roll, applying a constant predetermined axial pressure to the roll while subjecting at least one end face of the roll to a rotary and reciprocating rubbing action to felt the fibers, the pad being moistened by a soap solution during the felting operation, removing the formed pad from the confining means, Washing the pad, and drying the pad.

11. That process of preparing felted pads which comprises mixing together a quantit of fiber, making the mixed fiber into a rol peripherally confining the roll, applying a constant predetermined axial pressure to the roll while subjecting at least one end face of the roll to a rotary and reciprocating rubbing action to felt the fibers, the pad being wet during the felting operation, removing the formed pad from the confining means, and drying the pad by blowing a desiccating air current axially therethrough.

12. That process of preparing felted pads which comprises carding together a quantity of fiber, making the carded fiber into a roll, peripherally confining the roll, applying a constant predetermined axial pressure to the roll while subjecting at least one end face of the roll to a rotary and reciprocating rubbing action to felt the fibers, removing the formed pad from the confining means, and drying the pad by placing one face of the pad against a pervious backing and directing a current of heated air against the exposed face of the pad.

13. Apparatus of the class described comprising an open ended substantially cylindrical container, a movable plate engaging the lower end of the container, the plate be ing of larger diameter than the container, and means for imparting a combined rotary and reciprocating motion to the plate.

14. Apparatus of the class described comprising an open ended substantially cylindrical container, a movable plate engaging the lower end of the container, the plate being of larger diameter than the container, a weight fitting within the upper end of the container for compressing material in the latter, and means-for imparting agyrating motion to the plate.

15. Apparatus of the class described comprising an open ended substantially cylindrical container, a movable plate engaging the lower end of the container, the plate; being of larger diameter than the container, the upper surface of the plate being resilient and pressing against the lower edge of the container, and means for imparting a conibined rotary and reciprocating motion to the plate.

16. Apparatus of the class described comprising an open ended substantially cylindrical container, a movable plate engaging the lower end of thecontainer, the plate being of larger diameter than the container, a bearing boss projecting from the lower side of the plate, said boss having a journal opening co-axial with the plate, a shaft coaxial with the container, a crank secured to theshaft having a pin engaging said-journal opening, and means for rotating the crank.

17. Apparatus of the class described comprising a frame, an open ended vertically disposed cylindrical ring supported at the upper part of the frame, a vertically disposed shaft concentric with said ring journalled at the lower part of the frame, a drive pulley on the shaft, a crank arm at the upper end of the shaft, a crank pin carried by the crank, a horizontal plate having a substantially flat upper surface, said plate having a bearing boss at its lower side provided with a journal opening for the reception of the pin, and an anti-friction bearing carried by the pin for supporting the plate with its upper surface in sliding contact with the lower edge of the ring.

18. Apparatus of the class described comprising an open ended container having an internal chamber of an area and of the shape of the desired pad, a movable plate constituting a closure for one end of the container, and means for imparting rotary and reciprocating motion to the plate.

19. Apparatus of the class described comprising an open ended container having an internal chamber of the shape of the desired pad, a movable plate constituting a closure for one end of the container, means for applying pressure to the upper surface of material within the container, and means for imparting a gyratory movement to said plate.

20. Apparatus of the class described comprising an open ended container having an internal chamber of the area and shape of the desired pad, a movable plate constituting a closure for one end of the container, 9. presser member slitting Within and forming a closure for the other end of the container, and means for imparting a combined rotary and reciprocating gnotion to the plate.

21. Apparatus of the class described comprising an open ended substantially-cylindrical container, a movable plate engaging the lower end of the container, the plate being of larger diameter than the container, theupper side of the plate being provided with a rubber pad frictionally engaging the lower edge of the container, and means. for

, moving the plate while keeping the pad always in contact with such edge.

I 22. Apparatus of the class described comprising an open ended substantially cylindrical container, a movable plate engaging the lower end of thecontainer, the plate being of larger diameter than the container, a shaft substantially co-axial with the container, a crank on the upper end of the shaft, and a crank pin carried by the crank engaging a journal at the center of the plate.

23. Apparatus of the class described comprising an open ended substantially cylindrical container, a movable plateengaging the lower end of the container, the plate being of larger diameter than the container, a substantiall vertical shaft, a crank secured to the sha t, a crank pin carried by the crank, and a bearing boss projecting from the lower side of the plate, said boss having a journal opening for the reception of the crank pin. Signed by me at Wilton, New Hampshire this ninth day of Februa 1926.

EDWAR J. ABBOTT. 

